Circuit breaker



Nov. 19, 1940.

F. s. GREEN CIRCUIT BREAKER J2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 7, 1957INVENTOR. fZom 5. GREEN ATTORNEY.

Nov. 19, 1940. F. s. GREEN 2,222,312

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June 7, 1937 1 12 Sheets-Sh t 2 INVENTOR. FLOYD 56255 ATTORNEY.

NOV. 19,1940. s GREEN 2,222,312

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June 7, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 1&3, a

AIR IIJ 6 24 um :*i 49 K a 3 a 53 5 INVENTOR.

FLOYD 5. GREEN A TTORNEY CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June '7, 1937 12Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

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flow p 5. GREEN- Nov. 19, 1940. F GREEN 2,222,312

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June 7, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

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Nov. 19, 1940. F. s. GREEN 2,222,312

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June '7, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. Y Ham 5.GPEE/V Nov. 19, -1940. F; s. GREEN 2,222,312

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June 7, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. Fun 0 J.GPEEN- ATTORNEY.

Nay. 19, 1940. F. s. GREEN CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June 7, 1937 12Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. Rom i Gems/v ATTORNEY.

Nov. 19, 1940. F. s. GREEN CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June 7, 1237 12Sheets-Sheet 9 l INVENTOR. W Ham 5 GREEN.

ATTORNEY.

Nov. 19, 1940.

F. s. GREEN 2,222,312

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June '7, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVEN TOR. FL 0m5 GREEN ATTORNEY Nov. 19, 1940. F, GREEN 2,222,312

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June '7, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet l1 /40 U QM) M0INVENTOR.

FLOYD 5. GREEN 6? ATTORNEY Nov. 19, 1940. F1 GREEN 2,222,312

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June 7, 1957 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 IN VEN TOR. .Fz 0m5 64 5:

"' Patented Nov. 19,1940

UNITED STATES CIRCUIT BREAKER Floyd S. Green, St. Louis, Mo., assignorto Frank Adam, St. Louis County, Mo.

Application June '1', 1927, Serial No. 140,370

28 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in circuit\breakers, and moreparticularly to manually operable circuit breakers of an enclosed toggleoperated type, which are actuated by a thermal element to open a circuitwhen a current in .ex-

cess of a'predetermined value flows therethrough.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved circuit breakerpossessing numerous advantages. 0 This invention provides a circuitbreaker with means for releasing the circuit closing member,independently of the actuator handle, when a current in excess of apredetermined value flows through the circuit. making it possible tobreak the circuit in a shorter interval of time than if the entireactuator handle and mechanism had to be set in motion.

This invention also provides a circuit breaker with an indicating meansvisible from the front of the circuit breaker which will indicate whenthe circuit is opened due to excessive currents although the actuatinghandle remains in the normal on posit-ion.

The toggle action switch portion of the circuit breaker of thisinvention may be constructed with simple punchings having portionsthereof extruded to form pivots, by which they may fit into cooperatingportions of other punchings thus eliminating the necessity for rivetingthe parts together.

One form of circuit breaker provided by this invention may beconstructed from a unitary housing with recesses formed in the housingmaterial which serve as bearings to support the moving parts of thecircuit breaker and thus obviate the necessity for providing a separatesupporting member for-the moving parts.

Another form of the invention, however, provides a housing into which asupporting member which carries the circuit breaker parts may beinserted and secured.

This invention provides a circuit breaker with an insulating housinginto which the parts may be inserted and secured to the rear of the faceof the housing so that the actuating handle of the circuit breaker willprotrude through an opening in the face, this same face being adapted toform the front of a. circuit breaker or panelboard section.

This invention also provides a circuit breaker in which the thermalelement or current re- .sponsive device may be carried directly on themember on which the contacts are mounted and which is known as thecontact carrier.

55- The circuit breaker provided by this invention also provides for adouble break of the circuit by two contacts. This aids materially inreducing the are formed on breaking the circuit and adds to the life ofthe circuitbreaking contacts.

'I'he'resiliently mounted contacts used in this circuit breaker may bemaintained under constant pressure by restraining membersso thatalthough a great pressure is not needed to close the circuit breakernevertheless the contacts will not vibrate on their resilient mountingsnor will they take up an unnecessary amount of room.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the following detaileddescription.

In the drawings:

- Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-section through the central portionof a circuit breaker incorporating the features of this invention;Figure 2 is a longitudinal view taken in cross-section through a portionof the circuit breaker housing but taken as a side view of the circuitbreaker operating mechanism, in this view the actuator handle is in theon position but the circuit breaker is on the tripped position.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 except that the actuator handle is inthe off position. Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of thecircuit breaker housing with the operating mechanism removed therefrom;Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5'5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6is a cross-sectional view taken along line 65 of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is across-sectional view taken along line of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is across-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is across-sectional view taken along line 99 of Fi 1; Fig. 10 is a view ofthe underside of the circuit breaker contact carrier; Fig. 11 is a viewof the contact carrier provided with an optional form of thermalelement; Fig. 12 is an exploded view of the various circuit breakerparts; Fig. 13 is a side view of the circuit breaker operating mechanismwith the supporting housing in crosssection, in this view the actuatorhandle is in the on position and the circuit contacts are closed; Fig.14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 except that the contact carrier is inthe tripped position; Fig. 15 is similar to Fig. 14 except that theactuator handle is in the off position; Fig. 16 is a view taken alongline lG-IG of Fig. 13; Fig. 1'7 is a view taken along line ll-'l| ofFig. 13; Fig. 18 is a view taken along line l8-I8 of Fig. 14; Fig. 19 isa view taken along line I 9l 9 of Fig. 15; 'Fig. 20 is a side view ofthe operating mechanism and a cross-sectionof the housing of a circuitbreaker which may be operated simultaneously with a plurality of similarbreak- 56 I ers; Fig. 21 is a bottom view of the circuit breaker of thetype shown in Fig. Fig. 22 is a view taken along line 22-22 of Fig. 21;Fig. 23 is similar to Fig. 22 but the contact carrier is in the trippedposition; Fig. 24 is a view taken. along" line 24--24 of Fig. 22; Fig.25 is a view taken along line 2525 of Fig. 22; Fig. 26 is a side view ofthe operating mechanism and a crosssection of the housing of a circuitbreaker arranged to operate simultaneously with another similar breaker.A complete panelboard section is shown in this view. Figure 27 is abottom view of the two breakers shown in Fig. 26; Fig. 28 is a viewtaken along line 28-23 of Fig. 27; Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 28but with the circuit breaker in the tripped position; Fig. '30 is a viewtaken along line 30-30 of the Fig. 28; Fig. 31 is a view taken alongline 3l--3l of Fig. 28 and Fig. 32 is a view taken along line 32-32 ofFig. 29.

Fig. 33 is a view of an optional form of trip mechanism; Fig. 34 is aview along line 3434 of Fig. 33; Fig. 35 is a longitudinal sectionthrough the circuit breaker housing showing an optional method ofsupporting the contact-carrier; Fig. 36

is --a longitudinal section through the circuit breaker showing anothermethod of supporting the contact carrier; Fig. 37 is a view along line31-31 of Fig. 36; Fig. 38 is a longitudinal view of a housing for thecircuit breaker which may be formed in two split sections and Fig. 39 isa view along line 39-39 of Fig. 38.

Fig. 390 shows an assembled cross-sectional view of another form ofcircuit breaker of my invention. Fig. 40 is a sectional view through'line.4040 of the housing shown in Fig. 39a

without the breaker parts. The housing shown is one which willaccommodate two circuit-breakers. Fig. 41 is a side view of one of thesupporting frame members used in this form of the invention. Fig. 41a isa perspective view of an arc quencher which may be used in the circuitbreaker. Fig. 42 is a plan view of the supporting frame structure usedin this form of the invention. Fig. 43. shows thecircuit breaker withoutthe housing and in the on" position. Fig. 44 is similar to Fig. 43 butthe circuitbreaker is in the off position. Fig. 45 shows the breaker inthe tripped position.

In all of the figures the same reference numerals are used to denotesimilar parts.

Referring now to the drawings the numeral I indicates an actuator whichmay have an insulating handle 3 pressed or cast there-around, or whichmay be moulded with a slot therein adapted to fit over the actuator. Aprotecting shield 5 may beformed integral with the handle and may memberoperates in a recess I5 in the sidewall of the insulated housing and itsmotion is limited by walls 11 of these recesses. Openings l9 areprovided .in the swinging member to'allow the links 2| to pivot onextruded portions 23 thereof in the openings l9. A pivot pin 24furnishes an axis for the actuator i, a Pivotal member 25 and a contactcarrier 23, later to be described. The pivot pin 24 may rotate orbesupported in recesses 23 on the links 2|.

30 (see Figures 4 and 5) of the insulating housing I4.

The pivot pin 24 may be held in position by a strap 25 secured in thehousing by'screws or pins 21 see Figs. 6 and 21). Other ways of securinga said pin in position will later be shown. The pivotal member isprovided with openings 32 (see Fig. 12) which accommodate extrudedportions Openings 33 in the pivotal member allow the pivot pin 24 topass therethrough. An opening 34 and a lip 35 are also provided on thepivotal member. The contact carrier 29 may comprise two frame members 35and 31, which are suitable for conducting electrical current. separatedby a frame 39 of insulating material. Two electrical contacts, 4| and42, are electrically connected to the frame members 35 and 31 by springs43. Spring restricting members 45 maintain a flexure of the springs 43when the contacts are open and thus prevent periodic vibration of thecontacts when the circuit breaker is opened.

The contact carrier oscillates on the pin 24 i which passes throughinsulated bushings 43 in the contact carrier.-

A latch bar 41 is supported by a pin 49 which passes through theinsulated bushings 5|. The latch bar passes through the opening 34 inthe pivotal member 25 and has a projection 52 which cooperates with thelip 35 of the pivotal member.

A thermal trip element 53 of suitable bi-metallic material which willwarp when more than a i predetermined amount of current flows throughit, may have a catch secured thereto as shown by rivets 56. The catchmay be of some suitable metaland insulated from the bi-metal by a stripof mica 51. The thermal trip element 53 may be secured to the conductingbars 35 and 31 by screws 59. It is thus apparent that any currentpassing from the contact 42 must flow through the conducting bars 35 and31 and around the bi-metallic member 53. Stationary contacts 5! and 53may be secured to the housing H by suitable means as by a nut 54 andbolt 65. A housing closure member or cover 6-1 may completely close theback of the housing l4. A spring 33 tends torotate the contact carrier23 on its pivot.

Before the various auxiliary indicating devices and plural types ofbreakers are described, the operation of a single breaker of the abovetype will be described.

Figure 1 shows the circuit breaker in the cloud position. In thisposition the catch 55 on the thermal element holds the latch bar in theposition shown, that is, with the proiection 52 engaging the lip 35. Ifthe actuator I is moved. the spring I and swinging member 9 provide anover-center spring actuating means which.

through the toggle links 2| and pivotal member 25, move the contactcarrier to the open position as shown in Fig. 3. Thus under normalconditions when the thermal trip element 53 engages l the latch bar 41,the circuit breaker operates as a simple snap-acting'switch providing adouble break for the circuit.

All the current flowing from one contact of the circuit breaker to theother contact must pass through the thermal element and will cause acertain amount of heating of the thermal element. The thermal elementfor any particular size of circuit breaker is designed so that a flow ofcurrent in excess of a predetermined amount will cause the bi-metal towarp and so that the catch 55 will release the latch bar 41'. The spring53 will cause the lip 35 ofthe pivotal member 1 asaasrs 3 carrier willswing to the open position due to the action of the spring 89. Theentire cycle of events occurs instantaneously and the circuit is opened10 before the abnormal current can cause any dam age. An illustration ofthe circuit breaker in this tripped position is shown in Fig. 2. Theactuator handle remains in the 011" position and the.

circuit breaker must be reset before it may open-- 15 ate again eitheras a circuit breaker or switch. The circuit breaker is reset by movingthe actua tor handle to the oil position which lowers the pivotal memberand causes theswinging member 9 .to strike the latch bar and return itto the 2 latched position as shown in Fig. 3. If the ther mal elementhas cooled suiliciently, the catch will again engage the latch bar.

An indicator on the face of the circuit breaker may be desirable andseveral forms thereof will 25 be described.

A simple form of indicator-is shown in Figures l-3. It will indicatewhether the contact carrier is in the open or closed position but willnot distinguish between the open or tripped position. If

3 the actuator handle is. in the on position and the indicator showsthat the contact carrier is in the open position as in Fig. 2, however,it will be apparent to an observer that the .breaker is in the trippedposition.

35 This form of indicator comprises an indicator cylinder upon which asuitable legend may be printed, a tail bar I2 secured thereto, a spring14 and pivot pins 8 which may rest in recesses in the housing I4. Awindow 18 in the housing 4 allows the cylinder III to be seen. Theindicator cylinder 10 is maintained in the position in which it is shownin Fig.1 by the spring I4. When the contact carrier is in the openposition as shown in Fig. 2 0r 3 it strikes the tail bar 12 and moves4:; the indicator cylinder so that any suitable legend or indicationthereon will become visible.

An indicator which will indicate when the. contact carrier is in the"tripped" position may be provided and such an arrangement is shown in50 Figures 13-18.

ator handle is in the "off" position as in Figs. 15

55 and 19. A lever 82 pivoted on a pin 84 secured to the main housing ispositioned as shown so that when the actuator handle is in the onposition it causes the lever 82 to push the control cylinder against theaction of the spring at 60 bringing the tail bar I2 into the path of theprojection 8| on the contact carrier so that when it is tripped, theindicator will give notice ofthe fact.

When a 3 wire or 3 phase circuit is equipped with circuit breakers ofthe type shown with the 35 handles connected together or replaced by acommon handle it is desirable that all of the breakers opensimultaneously. Such an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs.-25 where a housing 88 of insulating material and adapted 70 to house 3circuit breakers may be used. A strip of Bakelite 18 or other insulatingmaterial is secured to the bottom of, each latch bar as by rivets 9II.

The pivotal member 28 is slightly changed in 75 form from the pivotalmember previously described, projections 92 being provided to which astrip of Bakelite 94 or other insulating material may be secured as byrivets 96. Arms di arranged to oscillate about an axis 98 serve as supports for a Bakelite or insulating strip 98 which b is supported thereonby angles Hi2 and rivets i 02.

A catch tilt is secured to the strip 99 by rivets M6 at points whereeach thermal element may engage its corresponding catch. In such an ern=bodiment of the invention the thermal element ill need not be equippedwith the catch 55. In opera tion such a multiple breaker will break alllines simultaneously should thecurrent through any one of the linesexceed a predetermined value. When any one of the thermal elements warpthe 5' trip bar 22' is pulled down and allows the latch bar 4i to moveso as to allow the pivotal member to be released which in turn opens thecircult breaker. Since all the trip mechanisms, latch bars, and pivotalmembers are connected, as simultaneous opening of all of the breakers isinsured.

Another method of accomplishing simultaneous operation of the breakersis shown in Figures 26-32 as applied to a double pole circuit breaker.The latch bar l'l as used in this embodiment is not provided with theprojection 52 as in the other embodiments shown. The function of thisprojection is fulfilled by a catch bar I08 as shown.

A connecting bar ill! of suitable insulating material as Bakelite issecured as by rivets Ill to the'bottom of each catch bar. A trigger barH3 is supported by a pin lib in the connecting bar. In this embodimentthe thermal element 53 is provided with a catch 55 which engages thefoot of the latch bar ll. Since the catch bars I08 are connectedmovement of one will cause simultaneous movement of the other and h ncesimulta'neous opening of all the poles of he circuit breaker. Since thetrigger bar I I3 is pivotally supported, it will allow movement-of oneof the latch bars 4'5 without simultaneous movement of the other. Henceboth-thermal elements need not warp simultaneously to affectsimultaneous operation of all poles of the circuit breakers.

The Figures 26 and 2'7 further illustrate the novel way in which thebreaker parts are inserted from the rear of the housing as well asshowing a housing which may be formed for insertion inastandard type ofpanelboard. m

A. modification in the form of the thermal element is shown in Figure 11where the numeral I28 designates a straight thermal element secured tothe contact carrier. The circuit through the thermal element iscompleted through a pig- 56 tail G22. I

Figures 33 and 34. illustrate a circuit breaker for three-polesimultaneous break similar to the type .Such an arrangement may beprovided on any of the types shown to vary the setting of the breakerand cause it to open on various current values.

Figures 35-37 show optional methods of holding the pivot pin 24 inposition. In Figure 35, the numeral I28 indicates metallic pieces whichmay be.moulded in the insulating housing and r I halves, the parts maybe assembled in one half and the other half may then be slipped over theparts which ride in the recesses to properly secure them in position.

Figures 390-45 show another form of my invention in which. I usesupporting frame members I40 spaced apart by iiat metal connecting barsI43 and I44. The members I40 are pro vided with openings i4I ami I41 toaccommodate the portion II of the swinging member I and the axle 24respectively. The flat bar I48 maybe .secured to the insulated housingby a rivet I44 passing through an opening I46 in the housing I41. Theother member I44 may be secured to the supporting frame members I40. Ifthe other parts are then assembled between the supporting members theymay be inserted into the housing to fit into the slots I48. The ends ofthe supporting members provided with the slots I49 are inserted first sothat the slots will embrace the member I48 which has been previouslysecured to the housing. The member I44 maythen besecured to the housingby a rivet I50.

It would be possible, of course, to secure the supporting framestructure to the housing in other ways if so desired. The supportingframe structure could be secured to the sides or rear-of the housing.

The actuator I is slightly changed over the actuator I previouslydescribed in that the insulating handle I fits over three projectionsIII. These projections are made long enough to keep the handle fromwobblin'g.v The shield maintains the handle in position on theprojections by contact with the housing. The end of the member 41 isalso slightly changed in that it is provided with insulating members Inwhich keep the metal part II; from contact with the member 41. Thecontact carrier may be constructed in this form of the invention withtwo; sides'I which may be metal stampings held together by metal crossmembers I" and a cross member of insulating material I. The thermalelement I" as shown is straight and is connected tothe contacts byflexible conductors I58.

An improved indicating device is provided by an indicator stem' II!which projects'through the hollow rivet I50 and is-held in position by acap I" which fits tightly into the opening I46 and a "spring IBI whichnormally holds the indicator stem down until it is pushed up by themember.

I62 which is secured to the contact carrier; The indicator will thenrise whenever the contacts are broken whether due to manual operation orto circuit overload.-

The housing shownin Figure 40 accommodates two independent breakerswhich may be referred to as a multipole circuit breaker section.

A device to materially reduce the arcing at the circuit contacts isindicated by the numeral I and may consist of a piece of magnetic ironshaped and placed substantially as shown. I12 is an opening throughwhich a rivet orother fasteningdevicemaybeinsertedtosecurethe device I"to the housing.

The Figures 43-45 show the circuit breaker in "on, .ofi'," and "tripped"positions. The operation of this form of the breaker is the same as Ipreviously described in connection with the other form of the invention.

While several embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it-will become apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious .modifications, omissions, changes, additions, and

substitutions may be made in the apparatus described without departingfrom the spirit and sco'pe'of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

j 1. A circuit breaker comprising a unitary housing of insulatingmaterial, a pivoted contact carrier carried by supporting frame members,said supporting frame members being adapted to be 80 inserted from'therear of the housing and secured to the face of the housing, said unitaryhousing enclosing the circuit breaker operating parts on the sides andfront, an actuator handle extend- -ing through the housing face, saidhousing face being" adapted to form the deadfront face of a panelboardor circuit breaker.

2."A circuit breaker comprising a unitary housing of insulatingmaterial, a pivoted contact carrier supported in said housing, anactuator handle extending through the face of the housing, said actuatorhandle being releasably connected to said contact carrier, the circuitbreaker operating partsbeing adapted to be inserted from the rear ofthe-housing to-be secured to the housing.-said unitar'yhousing enclosingthe circuit breaker operating parts on the sides and front, said housingface being adapted to form the deadfront of a circuit breaker orpanelboard.

3. In a circuit breaker, a housing, a moving contact carrier and anactuator therefor supported in said housing, a rotatable indicatorsupported in the housing and having a portion thereof visiblethrough anopening in the housing, a tail bar on the indicator adapted to engage aprojection of the contact carrier when the actuator is in one positionand means to prevent the engagement of the tailbar and the projection ofthe contact carrier when the actuator is in another position.

4. In a circuit breaker an insulating housing, supporting frame memberssecured thereto a contactcarrier provided with contacts on either endand supported by the supporting frame members, cooperating contactssecured to said nous-.56

ing, a swinging-member pivoted at one end thereof in said supportingframe membersand releasably connected to the contact carrier and anactuator connected by means of a tensioned sprin'g'to the other end ofsaid swinging member.-

5. In a circuit breaker an insulated housing provided with sidewalls anda front face, a pair of oppositely placed supporting frame membersspaced apart by fiat connecting members positioned against the rear ofthe front face of the insulated housing, means to secure said flatconnecting members to said housing, an indicator adapted to be insertedin an opening through one of said securing means, a contact carriersupported by said supporting frame members, the indicator being sopositioned as to be struck by the contact carrier to indicate whetherthe contact carrier is in the of! or on position.

6. In a circuit breaker, a housing, an opening through the face of thehousing, an indicator stem extending through the opening and adapted tobe nioved by a part of the circuit breaker, an insert in said openingprovided with an opening throughwhich the indicator'extends and a springunder the insert adapted to maintain the in.

- holding each contact carrier for movement with its respectiveactuator, thermal means on each contact carrier adapted 'to release itslatch on an overcurrent condition, a bar connecting the respective latchmembers of each contact carrier to cause all of the latch means to movetogether to release all of the contact carriers from their respectiveactuators whenever any one of the thermal means releases its latch.

8. In a circuit breaker a housing of insulating material provided withsidewalls and a front, supporting frame members spaced apart by fiatconnecting members, said supporting members being secured to the frontof the housing by securing the flat members to the front of the housing,an actuator provided with ahandle which extends from an opening in thehousing, a shield around said'opening movable with the handle, a contactcarrier pivotally supported on the supporting frame members and providedwith two oppositely disposed contacts,,a thermal element electricallyconnected between the contacts adapted to release the contact carrierfor movement independent of the actuator when a' current in excess of apredetermined value flows walls forming a housing, recesses in certainof said walls, a contact carrier pivotally supported in certain of saidrecesses, a swinging member pivotally supported'in other of saidrecesses, actuating means for said swinging member, means releasablyinterlocking said swinging member with the carrier for conjoint pivotalmovement and a current responsive means on said carrier to release thecarrier for movement independently of said swinging member.

11. A circuit breaker comprising a plurality of walls to form a housing,recesses in said walls, an actuator, a contact carrier with contactsthereon pivotally supported in said recesses, cooperating contactslocated on said housing, means for releasably connecting the actuatorwith said carrier, and a current responsive means on said carrier torelease the carrier for movement independent of said actuator.

12. A circuit breaker comprising a housing composed of a plurality ofwalls and having the rear side thereof open, an actuator therefor,pivotally movable members, said housing being provided with an openingin the front wall thereof through which a portion of the actuatorextends, certain of said walls being provided with recesses which serveas bearings for certain of said pivotal members, and a housing coveradapted to close the rear opening of the housing and to cooperate withother of said recesses to iormbearings for other of said pivotalmembers.

18. In a circuit breaker, a housing with an open back formed by aplurality of walls, pivotally movable members, an actuator, a cover forthe open back of the housing, said housing being provided with recessesin certain walls thereof, the recesses being adapted to serve asbearings for the pivotal members, said cover being adapted to cooperatewith the housing and recesses therein to hold certain of the pivotalmembers in oper= atlng position, said housing being provided with anopening in the wall opposite the cover through which a portion of theactuator handle extends and acurrent responsive means rendering theoperation of other of the pivotally mounted members independent of saidactuator under certain current conditions.

14. A circuit interrupter comprising a housing composed of a pluralityof walls and having the rear side thereof open, pivotally movablemembers, an actuator therefor, said housing being provided withanopening in a wall thereof through which a portion of the actuatorextends, certain of said walls being provided with recesses which serve,as bearings for certain of said pivotal members and a housing coveradapted to close the rear opening of the housing and to cooperate withother of said recesses to form bearings for other of said pivotalmembers and to hold said pivotal members and actuator in proper positionin the housing.

15. A circuit breaker including in combination with a pivoted member andmanual means for actuating the same, of a contact carrier pivoted,

coaxially with said member, a latch bar pivoted on the contact carrier,normally connecting said member and carrier for conjoint pivotalmovement, a current responsive element mounted on said carrier, operableto disconnect the latch bar from said member when influenced by currentof predetermined magnitude, and a spring tending to rotate the contactcarrier independently of said member.

16. A. circuit breaker comprising a pivoted contact carrier, a memberpivoted coaxially with the contact carrier, a latch bar for normallyinterconriecting said member and carrier for ,conjoint pivotal movement,actuating mechanism for said member including an element which isengageable with said latch bar to cause the same to interconnect saidmember and contact car- 'rienand current-responsive means on saidcarrier operable on said latch bar to effect disconnection of saidmember and carrier.

1'7. In a circuit breaker, a pivoted actuator, a pivoted memberactuatable thereby, snap-acting means operatively interconnecting saidactusaid actuator, a contact carrier pivoted coaxially with said member,a spring tending to rotate the contact carrier relative to said member,an ele- 'ment releasably connecting said member and carrier for conjointmovement, and current re sponsive means on said carrier eifective torelease the carrier from said member for independent openingmovemantundef the action of ator; a pivoted contact carrier, a latch barthereon 'releasably interconnecting said carrier and member for conjointpivotal movement, said latch bar extending into the path of movementsaid member.

of one of said toggle links and adapted to be moved thereby intolatching engagement with to release said carrier from said member, saidlatch means being adapted to be reset into latchtoggle links. 7

21. In a circuit breaker, a pivoted member and manually operable,snap-acting mechanism for oscillating the same, a pivoted contactcarrier and means releasably interlocking said carrier and member forconjoint pivotalmovement, said contact carrier comprising a pair oflaterally spaced frame pieces insulated one from the other, acurrent-responsive element on said carrier electrically interconnectingsaid frame pieces and cooperable withsaid interlocking means to releasethe carrier from said member, a switch contact on one of said framepieces and a switch contact on the other frame piece.

22. In a circuit breaker, a contact carrier pivoted between its ends andcomprising laterally spaced frame pieces secured on opposite sides of aninsulating core 'of'molded plastic material, switch contacts at oppositeends of said carrier,- electrically connected respectively to oppositeframe pieces, and an element mounted on said carrier and electricallyinterconnecting the frame pieces, said elementbeing adapted to moveresponsive to the passage of current'therethrough. to eifect openingmovement of the circuit breaker. I

23. Ina circuit breaker a pivoted contact carrier, a flat actuator forsnap operating said contact carrier into open and closed position,looking means to lock the contact carrier for movement with theactuator, thermal means on the contact carrier for releasing the lockingmeans when a current in excess of a predetermined value flows throughthe circuit breaker, said actuator being flat and provided with aplurality of projections on one end thereof and a handle of insulatingmaterial provided with slots therein adapted to fit'over the projectionson the actuator.

24. In a circuit breaker a housing of insulatassa'aia ing material,'sTpivoted contact carrier supported therein, a tlat actuator foroperating said pivoted contact carrier, a plurality of flat projectionson said actuator, a handle of insulating material provided with a shieldat one end thereof, slots in said shield adapted to flt over theprojections on the actuator, an opening in the front of the housingthrough which an end of the handle extends, the handle being heldinposition by contact of the shield against the inner side of the housingand by the projections on the actuator.

25. A circuit breaker comprising a unitary housing of insulatingmaterial having sidewalls and a deadfront face, a contact carriersupported in said housing, an actuator provided with a handle extendingthrough an opening in the deadfront face, a contact on the housing, acooperating contact on the contact carrier, said contact carrier andactuator being operatively connected. current responsive meanselectrically connected with one of the contacts and eifective to releasethe contact carrier i'or movement independent of the actuator, saidsidewalls and deadfront of the unitary housing forming a cavity with anopening at the rear of the circuit breaker for the insertion of thecircuit breaker operating parts, and means to secure said parts to 'saidhousing and support them therefrom. F

26. A .circuit breaker comprising a housing composed of complementaryvertical sections of insulating material, means for securingthe'sections together in operative position, an actuator provided with ahandle extending through an opening in the face of said housing, acontact carrier supported in said housing an operatively connected withsaid actuator, currer ikresponsive means in said housing effective toelease the contact carrier for movement independent of the actuator,said complementary sections provided with complementary recesses formingan enclosed chamber for the accommodation of the circuit breaker parts.

2'1. A circuit breaker comprising a housing composed of complementaryvertical sections of insulating material, means for securing thesections together in operative position, an actuator provided with ahandle extending through an opening in the front ofathe circuit breaker,a contact carrier operatively connected with the actuator, currentresponsive means eflective to release the contact carrier for movementindependent of the actuator when the current through the circuit breakerexceeds a predetermined value, cooperating recesses in the oppositevertical sections of the housing forming supports for the actuator andcontact carrier.

28. A circuit breaker comprising a housing composed of complementaryvertical sections of insulating material, means for'securing thesections together in operative position, an actuator provided with ahandle extending through the face of the circuit breaker, opposite andcomplementary recesses in each of the vertical sec- DISCLAIMER2,222,312.-Fl0yd S. Green, St. Louis, Mo. CIRCUIT BREAKER. Patent datedNovember 19, 1940. Disclaimer filed June 12, 1942, by the inventor andthe assignee, Frank Adam. Hereby disclaim claims 13, 14, 26, 27, and 28of aforesaid patent.

[Ofiicial Gazette July 7, 1,942.]

DISCLAIMER 2,222,312.Fl0yd S. Green, St. Louis, Mo. CIRCUIT BREAKER.Patent dated November 19, 1940. Disclaimer filed June 12, 1942, by theinventor and the assignee, Frank Adam. Hereby disclaim claims 13, 14,26, 27, and 28 of aforesaid patent.

[Ofiicial Gazette July 7, 1942.]

